COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Westland Mall will be among thousands of sites that will be demolished as part of a statewide project to make room for new economic development.
A release from Gov. Mike DeWine's office said a total of 599 additional structures in 15 counties will be demolished with support from the Ohio Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program.
The Westland Mall, located at the intersection of U.S. 40 and Interstate 270, shut down in 2007 after being open for nearly 40 years. Sears was the final business to leave the property several years later.
The 599 projects announced by the governor's office on Friday bring the total number of demolition projects funded through the program to 3,699 projects in 87 counties.
DeWine said the demolition program can help revitalize communities with new investments, businesses jobs and housing opportunities.
"Many of our communities have truly transformative ideas for these properties, and I'm pleased that we're able to help remove these barriers to development," DeWine said.
According to the release, developers plan to construct a "mixed-use project" once the Westland Mall is torn down. It's not clear when demolition will begin.
To see a full list of demolition projects, click here.
